Those Who Hold Snakes and Scorpions
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa No. ( 18341 )
Q: There is a bad custom in Upper Egypt , where some men claim that they can remove snakes and scorpions from houses. One of the men stands up, holds a stick in his hand, and says certain words, such as: “Help, O my master, O Rafi'i ,” and the like. Then the snake or scorpion comes out and walks on the stick that this man is holding, and then he holds the snake
or the scorpion in his hand without it harming him. The question is: Is there a Shari'ah method that allows a person to hold a snake or scorpion in his hand? And if it is a sorcerer’s practice, what is the method for nullifying this magic? I have read the verses for nullifying magic, but the snake or scorpion did not change?
A: This method is a method of shirk (associating partners with Allah); because the one who held the snake sought help from other than Allah by saying: “O my master, Rafi'i.” Removing snakes and scorpions is not among the signs of faith and piety. It may be seeking help from the jinn, and using the works of sorcery and magic. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: There is a bad custom in Upper Egypt , where some men claim that they can remove snakes and scorpions from houses. One of the men stands up, holds a stick in his hand, and says certain words, such as: “Help, O my master, O Rafi'i ,” and the like. Then the snake or scorpion comes out and walks on the stick that this man is holding, and then he holds the snake
or the scorpion in his hand without it harming him. The question is: Is there a Shari'ah method that allows a person to hold a snake or scorpion in his hand? And if it is a sorcerer’s practice, what is the method for nullifying this magic? I have read the verses for nullifying magic, but the snake or scorpion did not change?
A: This method is a method of shirk (associating partners with Allah); because the one who held the snake sought help from other than Allah by saying: “O my master, Rafi'i.” Removing snakes and scorpions is not among the signs of faith and piety. It may be seeking help from the jinn, and using the works of sorcery and magic. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.